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| Milwaukee Press interview with Dominic | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 15 2010, 05:42 AM (41 Views) | |
| mouser | Feb 15 2010, 05:42 AM Post #1 |
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Greased Lightning rolls into Milwaukee Posted on 15 February 2010. Tags: broadway, Dominic Fortuna, Grease By Michael Ray Photo by Joan Marcus Grease has been the word for nearly 40 years from Broadway to Hollywood, drawing famous names to roles that have become staples of American culture – Danny, Sandy, smart-talking Rizzo and the ever-elusive, beauty school dropout Frenchy. Premiering on Broadway in 1972, the show ran for eight years and spawned the 1978 movie featuring John Travlota and Olivia Newton-John. But Grease never died, living on in Broadway revivals, regional theatre and summer stock. The show is currently touring the country, stopping Feb. 23–28 at the Marcus Center, 920 N. Water St. Dominic Fortuna, who plays favorite radio DJ and hand-jiving singer Vince Fontaine, talked with The UWM Post about growing up blue collar and touring with American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. The Post: Grease is an iconic show. What’s been the audience response to this incarnation? Dominic Fortuna: Grease is like comfort food. People who come know what they’re going to get. The real energy comes from the songs that everyone knows, when they’re singing along. The last few cities especially have sold really well and there’s been a lot of good energy. Post: Your first connection to the show came with Grease: You’re the One that I Want (a TV show where producers were seeking to cast the roles of Danny and Sandy in the Broadway revival of the musical). What was your experience working on the show and do you feel that age was a factor in your not getting picked? DF: I really did feel that age was made a factor and that’s why I didn’t get to be Danny. But the show was great. And honestly, when they approached me, it was even more exciting to be Vince Fontaine. I always thought it would be a fun role to play, that I could make it my own. Post: What’s one way that you really get to make it your own? DF: Before the show, I get to warm up the audience and interact with them. It’s always a good time. Post: I understand you own and operate a dinner theater back in your home state of Michigan. What made you decide to take that leap? DF: My family was in the restaurant business for most of my life and I used to entertain there with my dad and my family. I realized that if I could sing and keep selling drinks that I didn’t have to go back in the kitchen to work. Post: So you decided to do something similar. DF: Well I was out in California working and I really wanted to go back and be with my family [in Michigan]. I brought up the idea to my dad and he got excited. We picked out a spot and combined the two together—food and theater. Post: You’ve worked with some pretty big names throughout your career. Are there any that really stick out in your mind? DF: I worked with Barry Manilow with his musical, Could It Be Magic. Joe Piscopo and I have worked together. Dean Martin – I was very young when I worked with him. It was great and overwhelming. Even just to be a part of sitting in the house and watching him come on stage and do his stuff. Even seeing that stuff is exciting, seeing a legend like him. Post: Any good stories you can tell? DF: He realized that I was the only Italian kid in the cast. We hit it off fraternally, both being Italian. He used to take me aside and we’d watch football games together. The guy just had a great personality. Post: And now for this show you’re working with Taylor Hicks, who plays Teen Angel. DF: Working with Taylor Hicks is great. He’s one of the best. The more you listen to him and hear his voice, you see that he’s really pulling away from that American Idol genre. That guy can sing and he doesn’t hold back.Post: It looks like Grease has been good to both of you. Good luck with the show. DF: Thanks a lot. It was good talking. For more information on Grease or to get tickets, visit www.greaseonbroadway.com. |
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| tishlp | Feb 15 2010, 08:28 AM Post #2 |
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Dominic is a good guy. |
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| mouser | Feb 15 2010, 11:32 AM Post #3 |
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And even more importantly; it seems he means it when he praises Taylor. I think they have bonded and have a genuine friendship blossoming. In the music industry, true friends are in short supply. |
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| Gr8fulheart | Feb 15 2010, 05:49 PM Post #4 |
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The 'feel' of his response about Taylor is noteably genuine. And mouser~you're correct. A true friend is rare.♥ |
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| mouser | Feb 15 2010, 05:53 PM Post #5 |
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Here is a redux of an interview Dominic gave to Connections in the early days of Grease . http://taylorconnections.com/topic/2098274/1/#new Dominic Fortuna, who plays the role of Vince Fontaine in “Grease” was nice enough to answer some questions for us about himself and his role in ”Grease”, as well as share a little about performing on stage with Taylor. A little background on Dominic: Dominic Fortuna isn’t new to musical theatre and he has worked with some legends! Barry Manilow told him, "Kid, you got great chops!" Dominic, who plays Vince Fontaine in “Grease", does have a voice that can light up a theatre. That’s what he does in the introduction of “Grease” with charisma and a rock ‘n roll vibe that sets the stage for the kids of Rydell High! From his website, www.dominicentertainment.com : Dominic Fortuna has been singing professionally since the age of 13. He was a long time member of the Young Americans musical touring group. Dominic has a commanding stage presence. He knows how to read a crowd and keep an audience involved. He is very personable and he appeals to a wide audience. His performance abilities have been praised in television and large and small stage…” In 1994 Dominic performed at the World Cup Opening Ceremonies at the Pontiac Silverdome alongside Larry Gatlin and Martha Wash. He has also performed along side Dean Martin, Arsenio Hall, Peggy Lee, Les Brown’s Band, Drew Abbott from Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Joe Piscopo and Barry Manilow. He has toured nationally and internationally and performed in Europe in the original Ballet of West Side Story with the Young American’s Song and Dance Company. He also did a Midwest Tour of “Grease” with the American Musical Theatre." One reviewer describes Dominic's performance: "A melodic master who dances between decades and genres with the greatest of ease, Dominic Fortuna forges each of his shows to depict a history of music which is guaranteed to touch each and every generation represented in the audience, reminding us all what first drove us to love our own musical preferences in the first place.” —Scott Sevener, Northern Michigan Writer Reviewing Dominic's 2003 Alpenfest Show In his home state of Michigan, he is active in his own dinner theatre, The Williamsburg Showcase Dinner Theatre, near picturesque Traverse City. Williamsburg Showcase Dinner Theatre And if all of that is not enough to keep him busy, Dominic performs in a variety of groups, as the "Dominic Duo" for smaller, more intimate gatherings, "The Dominic Fortuna Band" for wedding receptions and larger gatherings or "The Big Breakers" is a full show band for larger events like festivals and corporate events. Dominic can even write a special show that is unique for your group or event. In his interview with TTHC, Dominic reveals more about his road to the “Grease” stage via the television realty show, “Grease: You’re The One That I Want.” When he got the call from Broadway, he met Taylor there, and the rest is “Grease” history. If you have met Dominic at any of the “Grease” performances, you know how friendly he is, with a great personality. He is so good in his role, that it is hard not to call him “Vince!” Find out more about Dominic at Dominic Entertainment Dominic Answers Our Questions TTHC....How did you get your start performing? Have you always performed in theatre, or have you performed in other genres? Dominic....I started when I was in elementary school doing talent shows and things like that. I got my first professional gig at age thirteen at a dinner theater near my house called Brownwood. I played at my dad's restaurant as the host and had a band there. Really, my forte is dinner theater. I have one in Williamsburg, Michigan, near Traverse City, and it's a musical review. I also have a few bands, and we do lots of different things. I've done musical theater before, but I actually do other things more often. TTHC: How did you get the role of Vince in Grease? It seems to be the perfect fit. Did you audition specifically for that role or just to be in the play itself? Dominic....I was on the TV show, "Grease: You're the One That I Want," and everything kind of took off from there. When I didn't get Danny, I just thought that was that, and it was a great experience. But a few months later, I got a call from Jim Jacobs, creator of Grease, who asked me to fly out and audition for the part of Vince Fontaine. I jumped at the shot, and we added the warm-up. TTHC...Taylor's portrayal of Teen Angel is so unique and obviously his own. What were your thoughts when you found out Taylor Hicks was cast as Teen Angel? Dominic....I worked with Taylor on Broadway for a couple weeks before we both joined the tour. We actually shared a dressing room on Broadway. So, he actually had the role before I joined the cast. I was excited. I loved his voice on Idol, and I thought it was a great idea to have the Teen Angel be a cameo and so unique. TTHC...How has it been working with Taylor in Grease? Dominic....Taylor's just "one of the guys" in Grease. We have a blast! TTHC...We have seen you at a few of Taylor's shadow shows. What were your impressions seeing him in that type of performance, rather than on the "Grease" stage? Dominic....Taylor has been nice enough to invite me to some of his events outside of Grease and I always love it! I remember the first one I went to one. I was just blown away. TTHC....What are your hobbies when you aren't "DJing" for "Grease?" How do you like to relax? Dominic....I have a home and family in Michigan, and I love to just hang out with them. When you're away for so long, you really cherish the times when you just sit around and do nothing! I am a hunter and fisher, so if we're ever in a city on the water, I always take a fishing trip. I go out to eat a lot...it's kind of hard to relax on tour! :) TTHC...Do you have entertainment mentors or favorites? Who are your legends or heroes? Dominic....I got the chance once to work with Dean Martin and that experience has stuck out in my mind for years! He was so relaxed on stage and off. He just had a cool way of portraying himself as a host, even at just a regular concert, and I've always drawn from that. Other influences are Elvis, Frank Sinatra. Some mentors who I've worked with and become friends with would be Drew Abbot from Bob Segar's Silver Bullet Band and Joe Piscopo. TTHC.....Do you get to select the songs for the warm up routine, or are they chosen for you? Either way, they are great fun! Dominic....Thanks! :) I chose the songs. When I started on Broadway, I got the unique opportunity to kind of just write and direct the warm-up myself. It was one of those, if we don't like it, we'll fix it. Evidently, they liked it! TTHC....What would be your dream role if you could have any role in theatre? Dominic....This might sound funny, but it really is Vince Fontaine and doing the warm-up and everything! I can't imagine anything fitting me so well! I'm living the dream! :) TTHC....Do you know what you will do after "Grease," or is that too far off to begin auditioning and planning for? How can fans keep up with you when "Grease" ends? Dominic....As of now, I plan to go back to Michigan and keep my dinner theater and bands going. Anything can happen, though, and I'm always open to a change in plans! You can keep up with me on my website: www.dominicentertainment.com. We want to thank Dominic for taking the time to answer our questions. Edited by mouser, Feb 15 2010, 06:52 PM.
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| Gr8fulheart | Feb 15 2010, 07:52 PM Post #6 |
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And~here's a redux thank you for the interview: Thhaaannnk Yooouuu, Dooommiiinniiic! 
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